Norman Rockwell’s scenes of everyday small-town life are among the most indelible images in all of twentieth-century art. While opinions of Rockwell vary from uncritical admiration to sneering contempt, those who love him and those who dismiss him do agree on one thing: his art embodies a distinctively American style of innocence.

In this sure-to-be controversial book, Richard Halpern argues that this sense of innocence arises from our reluctance—and also Rockwell’s—to acknowledge the often disturbing dimensions of his works. Rockwell’s paintings frequently teem with perverse acts of voyeurism and desire but contrive to keep these acts invisible—or rather, hidden in plain sight, available for unacknowledged pleasure but easily denied by the viewer.

Rockwell emerges in this book, then, as a deviously brilliant artist, a remorseless diagnostician of the innocence in which we bathe ourselves, and a continuing, unexpected influence on contemporary artists. Far from a banal painter of the ordinary, Halpern argues, Rockwell is someone we have not yet dared to see for the complex creature he is: a wholesome pervert, a knowing innocent, and a kitschy genius.

Provocative but judicious, witty but deeply informed, Norman Rockwell is a book rich in suggestive propositions and eye-opening details—one that will change forever the way we think about this American icon and his works.

About the Author&colon;

Richard Halpern is professor of English at the Johns Hopkins University. He is the author several books, including Shakespeare among the Moderns and Shakespeare’s Perfume.

Book Description:University Of Chicago Press. Hardcover. Book Condition: New. 0226314405 University Of Chicago Press; 2006. Hardcover. First edition. Fine in a Fine Dustwrapper, NEW. We pack securely and ship daily w/delivery confirmation on every book. The picture on the listing page is of the actual book for sale. Additional Scan(s) are available for any item, please inquire. Bookseller Inventory # SKU1004771

Book Description:The University of Chicago Press, United States, 2006. Hardback. Book Condition: New. 229 x 155 mm. Language: English Brand New Book. Provocative but judicious, witty but deeply informed, Norman Rockwell is a text rich in suggestive propositions and eye-opening details - one that will change forever the way we think about this American icon and his works. Bookseller Inventory # AAC9780226314402

Book Description:The University of Chicago Press, United States, 2006. Hardback. Book Condition: New. 229 x 155 mm. Language: English Brand New Book. Provocative but judicious, witty but deeply informed, Norman Rockwell is a text rich in suggestive propositions and eye-opening details - one that will change forever the way we think about this American icon and his works. Bookseller Inventory # AAC9780226314402

Book Description:Hardcover. Book Condition: New. 161mm x 19mm x 235mm. Hardcover. Norman Rockwell's scenes of everyday small-town life are among the most indelible images in all of twentieth-century art. While opinions of Rockwell vary from uncritical admiration to s.Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. 201 pages. 0.517. Bookseller Inventory # 9780226314402

Book Description:University Of Chicago Press. Hardcover. Book Condition: New. Hardcover. 218 pages. Dimensions: 9.0in. x 6.1in. x 0.8in.Norman Rockwells scenes of everyday small-town life are among the most indelible images in all of twentieth-century art. While opinions of Rockwell vary from uncritical admiration to sneering contempt, those who love him and those who dismiss him do agree on one thing: his art embodies a distinctively American style of innocence. In this sure-to-be controversial book, Richard Halpern argues that this sense of innocence arises from our reluctanceand also Rockwellsto acknowledge the often disturbing dimensions of his works. Rockwells paintings frequently teem with perverse acts of voyeurism and desire but contrive to keep these acts invisibleor rather, hidden in plain sight, available for unacknowledged pleasure but easily denied by the viewer. Rockwell emerges in this book, then, as a deviously brilliant artist, a remorseless diagnostician of the innocence in which we bathe ourselves, and a continuing, unexpected influence on contemporary artists. Far from a banal painter of the ordinary, Halpern argues, Rockwell is someone we have not yet dared to see for the complex creature he is: a wholesome pervert, a knowing innocent, and a kitschy genius. Provocative but judicious, witty but deeply informed, Norman Rockwell is a book rich in suggestive propositions and eye-opening detailsone that will change forever the way we think about this American icon and his works. This item ships from multiple locations. Your book may arrive from Roseburg,OR, La Vergne,TN, Momence,IL, Commerce,GA. Hardcover. Bookseller Inventory # 9780226314402